JAMAICA-BORN England star Raheem Sterling says that despite opting to play for the Three Lions he will still provide assistance to the island.

Hot property Sterling recently visited his old, Copland Community School in Wembley, just days after signing a five-year contract with Liverpool. The winger says he intends to set up a football academy in his hometown of Marverly in Kingston within the next three years.

He added that he intends to return to the island later this year where he will sponsor the basic school fees for all the children in his community.

Asked about his decision to represent England rather than Jamaica - and fulfil and his mother's early desire for him to represent the island - Sterling admitted: "It's a better opportunity to progress; I intend to continue scoring goals for Liverpool and progress further representing my club and England.

"My mother agrees with my decision and all is well but I will be giving back to Jamaica where I began," he emphasised.

President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell, was in the UK recently trying to lure the teenager to play for the Reggae Boyz.

While Sterling would not disclose the sum involved with his new five year contract with Liverpool it is understood the 18-year-old's deal amounts to something like £40,000 a week until 2017.